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Between about 1800 and 1812, French was also used in records of the Rhineland area of Germany, northern Belgium, and the Netherlands. In addition, French is found in some early records of Louisiana and a few other places in the United States. Since about 1680, the grammar, if not the spelling, of official written French has been fairly well standardized throughout the world, even though there are many different forms of spoken French. | Between about 1800 and 1812, French was also used in records of the Rhineland area of Germany, northern Belgium, and the Netherlands. In addition, French is found in some early records of Louisiana and a few other places in the United States. Since about 1680, the grammar, if not the spelling, of official written French has been fairly well standardized throughout the world, even though there are many different forms of spoken French. | ||
LANGUAGE CHARACTERISTICS | ===LANGUAGE CHARACTERISTICS=== | ||
French words for persons, places, and things (nouns) are classified as masculine or feminine. Generally, adjectives used to describe feminine words end with e. | |||
Le (masculine form of the) is used with masculine words. La (feminine form of the) is used with feminine words. But l’ is used with either if the word begins with a vowel. For example, the word enfant means child or infant, either masculine or feminine. But l’enfant est né (the child is born) is used with a male child, and l’enfant est née with a female child. | Le (masculine form of the) is used with masculine words. La (feminine form of the) is used with feminine words. But l’ is used with either if the word begins with a vowel. For example, the word enfant means child or infant, either masculine or feminine. But l’enfant est né (the child is born) is used with a male child, and l’enfant est née with a female child. | ||
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Spelling <br>Spelling rules were not fixed in earlier centuries. In French the following spelling variations are common: | Spelling <br>Spelling rules were not fixed in earlier centuries. In French the following spelling variations are common: | ||
Variation Example | ====Variation Example==== | ||
bv used for v février spelled febvrier <br>c used for ss aussi spelled auci <br>ct used for t faites spelled faictes <br>es used for é témoins spelled tesmoins <br>I used for j jour spelled iour <br>o used for ou tournier spelled tornier <br>os used for ô nôtre spelled nostre <br>sç used for s savoir spelled sçavoir <br>t used for tt cette spelled cete <br>y used for i hier spelled hyer <br>y used for ill filleul spelled fyeul <br>z used for s baptisé spelled baptizé | bv used for v février spelled febvrier <br>c used for ss aussi spelled auci <br>ct used for t faites spelled faictes <br>es used for é témoins spelled tesmoins <br>I used for j jour spelled iour <br>o used for ou tournier spelled tornier <br>os used for ô nôtre spelled nostre <br>sç used for s savoir spelled sçavoir <br>t used for tt cette spelled cete <br>y used for i hier spelled hyer <br>y used for ill filleul spelled fyeul <br>z used for s baptisé spelled baptizé | ||
===ADDITIONAL RESOURCES=== | |||
This word list includes only words most commonly found in genealogical sources. For further help, consult a French-English dictionary. You can obtain a French-English dictionary at most public libraries and through many bookstores. | |||
Several French-English dictionaries are available at the Family History Library. These are in the European collection. Their call numbers begin with {{FHL|443.21|disp=443.21}}. | Several French-English dictionaries are available at the Family History Library. These are in the European collection. Their call numbers begin with {{FHL|443.21|disp=443.21}}. | ||
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French Records Extraction. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, n.d. (Family History Library fiche {{FHL|417661|title-id|disp=6068523}}.) In addition to being a glossary of names and genealogical words, this guide includes examples of French documents and instructions in reading the handwriting. | French Records Extraction. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, n.d. (Family History Library fiche {{FHL|417661|title-id|disp=6068523}}.) In addition to being a glossary of names and genealogical words, this guide includes examples of French documents and instructions in reading the handwriting. | ||
===KEY WORDS=== | === KEY WORDS === | ||
To find and use specific types of French records, you will need to know some key words in French. This section gives key genealogical terms in English and the French words with the same or similar meanings. | |||
For example, in the first column you will find the English word marriage. In the second column you will find French words with meanings such as marry, marriage, wedding, wedlock, unite, legitimate, joined, and other words used in French records to indicate marriage. | For example, in the first column you will find the English word marriage. In the second column you will find French words with meanings such as marry, marriage, wedding, wedlock, unite, legitimate, joined, and other words used in French records to indicate marriage. | ||